Watch Ekaj

Ekaj is a 2015 independent film directed by Cati González. It tells the story of a young, homeless gay man named Ekaj (played by Jake Mestre) who is searching for a better life. The film starts with Ekaj living on the streets of New York City, where he survives by stealing and working as a prostitute. He dreams of a better life, but struggles to find a way out of the harsh reality he lives in.

Ekaj meets Mecca (played by Scooter LaForge), a drug-addicted artist who takes him under his wing. Mecca offers Ekaj a place to stay in his rundown apartment and helps him find work as a model for his art projects. The two become close friends, and Mecca introduces Ekaj to his social circle, which includes Badd Idea (played by himself), a transgender performer who becomes one of Ekaj's closest friends.

Despite the new opportunities, Ekaj's life remains difficult. He faces discrimination and harassment from strangers on the street, and struggles to accept himself as a gay man. Ekaj's situation becomes more complicated when he falls in love with a client, Johnny (played by Joslyn Jensen), who is unaware that Ekaj is a prostitute. As their relationship develops, Ekaj's secrets start to unravel, and he is forced to confront the reality of his life and the choices he has made.

The film is shot in a gritty, documentary-style that gives the audience a raw and intimate look into the lives of these characters. The dialogue is naturalistic and often improvised, lending the film a sense of authenticity. The performances are powerful and emotional, particularly from Jake Mestre, who delivers a nuanced and poignant portrayal of Ekaj.

The themes of the film center around identity, acceptance, and the struggle against societal norms. The characters in Ekaj are all marginalized in some way- whether it is due to their sexuality, their gender identity, or their socio-economic status. The film shows the difficulty and pain of living on the fringes of society, but also the resilience and strength that can come from finding community and connection.

Overall, Ekaj is a powerful and moving film that offers a unique perspective on the lives of those often ignored by mainstream society. It is a testament to the resilience and strength of the human spirit, and a call to action for compassion and understanding towards those who are different from ourselves.

Ekaj is a 2017 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 19 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.7.